App Review: Convert by TapTapTap

One of the most common types of apps in the App Store are calculators. So when I decided to review Convert by TapTapTap I wasn’t sure it would be worth my time or not. The app, at time of review, was on sale for $0.99 and so at that price most people that need a convert calculator will just buy one of the many already there. Why shop around, right? Wrong.

Convert by TapTapTap does bring one thing to the table that most other apps like it do not: Excellent User Interface. Don’t let the scroll wheels fool you (we know how much iPhone users love the scroll wheel UI elements of the phone – not!). Well, TapTapTap has significantly improved upon the existing scroll wheel of the basic iPhone UI element. With additional animations and a unique magnify look of the selected values makes using the scroll wheels on Convert kinda fun and cool! (check out the design evolution video below).

The number pad of Convert is done with a more traditional calculator look, much like you’d find with the built-in calculator of the iPhone or iPod Touch. If you’re wondering, the star key in the bottom left is to reset the calculator.

One thing we didn’t like: even though the app does convert currencies it does not convert very many of them. So you’ll want to make sure that the currency you’d likely be using is supported before buying. All of the major currencies are there but we have seen complaints of others that indicated that the app was missing a currency. In looking at the currency list, it is rather short.

Convert by TapTapTap is a refreshing new UI on an old favorite of an app. If you’re looking for a simple, easy to use converting calculator then take a look at Convert. However, if you need to convert a lot of currencies then I’d look elsewhere.